Placey walks

A rural hike through rolling hills, woods, meadows, farmland and villages in the Franche-Comté region.

A few hours in a peaceful area. The terrain is hilly, with views stretching far into the distance. We discover villages with their beautiful fountains and wash houses. We finish at the feudal mound and its discovery trail.

Forest hike to discover the Noironte lake, walk along the Rhine-Rhône high-speed rail line, and visit the plague cemetery, which dates back to 1632.

A short, easy walk, mostly on unmarked paths, so very little used. You can see the archaeological site of the feudal mound of Placey.

An easy route through the countryside. Peaceful, wide open, gently rolling landscapes. Woods and fields. Two beautiful fountains and a fortified castle, one of the last in Franche-Comté to still have a standing keep.

Starting from the Maison de la Nature, located on the banks of the Ognon in a former mill, this walk leads to the woods of Brussey, then offers beautiful panoramic views of the Château de Ruffey and the Ognon.

As its name suggests, this is a short, very easy walk starting from the church in Chemaudin and Vaux. It follows small paths in open countryside and woods. It passes by the Pote farm, which breeds Salers cattle and keeps horses.

A short, easy hike that will take you to Cordiron Castle with a beautiful view of Marnay and the Ognon Valley.

A short, easy and very pleasant walk in the Ognon valley where, depending on the season, you will see swans, ducks, moorhens, herons and many other birds at the water's edge and animals at the edge of the forest. Apart from passing through the villages, the paths cross peaceful countryside, a true haven of peace.

Hike starting from Marnay on the Voie Verte (old railway line) towards Brussey (eco-museum) and returning to Marnay via Combe Gaudin.

Remains of Gallo-Roman buildings have been found in Marnay. However, the commune was not mentioned until 1210. A gate and some remains of the old surrounding walls are still visible. A few elements of the feudal castle also remain, including the drawbridge and two turrets. The old town also has many houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The current town hall dates from the Renaissance.The castle overlooking the Ognon valley was rebuilt in the 16th century but has been extensively remodelled since then.Finally, the Gothic church dates from the 14th and 17th centuries. The 20-hectare lake is home to many animal and plant species.

Hike in the forest around Dannemarie-sur-Crète

This is a short country walk in a wide open, peaceful setting where you can enjoy the sunshine if you feel the need. Avoid after a period of rain, as the bottom of the valley tends to turn into a bayou.

This is a lovely walk that starts in the Franois woods, where you will find pretty wooden buildings belonging to the nursery school on either side of the path. Then, via a small path through the forest, you will reach the equestrian centre. You will follow the Pirey ridge path, with a view of the "shooting range". You will cross Mont de Pouilley, with its military ruins, its old aviary and its view of the village. Then return to the starting point in Serre.

For a change from the crowds in Chailluz Forest, this is a peaceful little walk on the outskirts of Besançon, best done in dry weather.

A peaceful family route near Besançon. Discover a restored caborde (stone shelter) and a wide viewpoint with an orientation table.

According to Besançon tradition, the Sun King, Louis XIV, sat under a lime tree during the capture of Besançon by his troops: "the king's lime tree". But "Les Tilleroyes" is undoubtedly an old variant of tilleraie, a forest of lime trees. I don't know if you'll still find any lime trees, but there will be plenty of shade and coolness for city dwellers looking for a breath of fresh air just a stone's throw from the city.

Visit the Notre-Dame-du-Mont Chapel in Thoraise. Superb view of the Doubs and Montferrand Castle.

Discover Thoraise, its narrow streets and ancient postern gates, its castle and the banks of the Doubs. Then climb up to the Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint overlooking the valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Montferrand, ending finally at the Thoraise breakthrough and the Monsieur canal.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warrior-like with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, and will lead you through bucolic me anders towards the beautifully named Notre-Dame de l'Assomption des Champs, protecting you from demonic medieval gargoyles.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, all while travelling along a beautiful ridge line.

Visit the ruins of Montferrand le Château castle.

This route will allow you to discover the countryside and woods of the villages of Geneuille and Cussey-sur-l'Ognon. The route is not difficult and follows well-marked paths and forest roads.

Starting from the church in Avanne, you will walk along the river, climb up to the cabordes, old dry stone winegrowers' huts, then on to Fort de Planoise or Fort Moncey, built in 1877, the first defensive rampart of the city of Besançon. You will pass numerous batteries and fortifications at a military pace, then stop at the superb viewpoints, one overlooking Besançon and its hills, the second to the south, overlooking the Doubs valley and the Jura mountains.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont. You will walk along a beautiful, rocky ridge, punctuated by numerous viewpoints over the valley.

Discover panoramic views of the Doubs valley, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont and, dominating the valley, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders. Then a picturesque steep path will take you down through a beautiful forest of slender trees to the Canal Monsieur dit la Percée de Thoraise, a 185-metre tunnel dating from 1810.

A short climb to warm up your legs and discover two villages and exceptional views over the Doubs and Loue valleys, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont, overlooking the valley, the Château de Thoraise above the river, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders and, on the horizon, Besançon. Then a more leisurely return via the towpath, along the banks of the Doubs in the protective shade of the ruins.